CTUIR’s Brent Leonhard appointed to committee by Pres. Biden

BY THE CUJ WASHINGTON, D.C. – CTUIR attorney Brent Leonhard was one of 21 citizen members appointed to President Biden’s Committee on People with Intellectual Disabilities (CPID) on March 11. He will begin a two-year term as part of a committee that reflects the diversity of America and includes people with intellectual disabilities and their family members, researchers, service providers…

Carl Scheeler retires from DNR

MISSION – Normally, Zoom sessions aren’t full of laughter and heart-felt reminiscence at the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), but after more than 30 years with the Tribes, no one would expect anything different in bidding Carl Scheeler adieu. Scheeler, former Wildlife Program Manager, was honored via a digital retirement party Feb. 7. Board of Trustees (Board)…

Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters hosting meeting

The public is invited to the monthly themed meeting of the Cay-Uma-Wa Toastmasters club. The theme is “Love is in the Air”. The date for the themed meeting is February 16. Meeting begins at 12 pm and will end at 1 pm. Arrive 15 minutes early to interact with members. Text Leigh Pinkham-Johnston, 541-215- 2724 regarding meeting information. Currently meetings…

Award-winning journalist returns to CUJ

Jill-Marie Gavin hired as reporter in February MISSION – A CTUIR member has rejoined the staff of the Confederated Umatilla Journal after serving as a Board of Trustees At-Large member for the past two years. Jill-Marie Gavin was hired by the CUJ as a reporter in late January and started on Feb. 2. “It was an honor to serve my…

NCS surpasses state graduation average for first time since 2018

BY CARY ROSENBAUM MISSION – Nixyaawii Community School reported highlights for the 2020-2021 school year in January. Among the success, the school has increased its overall graduation rates each of the past four years — including rising above the state average in Native American graduation rate. Noticeably, though, NCS increased it’s overall student graduation rates above the state average (82.76…

CTUIR judge reflects on new Oregon law and equal justice

An Oregon law that went into effect in January provides full faith and credit for tribal court judgments. This means that if a judge from a federally recognized tribe requires child support or grants a restraining order, those decisions will be better enforced off reservation as well. Chief Judge William Johnson of the Umatilla Tribal Court has been working toward…

CTUIR sees big surge in COVID cases

Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center deals with 323 positives as staff band together during shortage BY CARY ROSENBAUM MISSION – One of the biggest coronavirus case spikes of the entire COVID-19 pandemic hit the CTUIR in January. After dealing with just nine cases in November and 65 in December, a total of 323 positives were documented as of Jan. 27. “This…

By Cary Rosenbaum of the CUJ How many times can you link the word “history” with Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III? First, the nomination for National Park Service Director as the first Native American candidate. Then, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approval. And now, the Senate vote to confirm his role. He’s in — by unanimous confirmation —…